Feature Attraction

Girly movie night with your best friend? Awesome. While wearing ruffles and florals? Even better.
It's just as easy to wear jeans with a blouse (or a nice knit top) and a cardigan as it is with a t shirt and hoodie. Trade up! The bolder the top, the less work you have do with accessories.
Same with the shoes. Cute flats are not exactly sneakers, but you can still do a mean run for the bus in them. While pretty much everyone has jumped on the ballet flat bandwagon, there is still time if you haven't.
Blouse: BCBG, BCBG Outlet (Tulalip WA)

Cardigan: J Crew

Jeans: Citizens of Humanity 'Faye', Hill's of Kerrisdale (Citizens: please start making these again)

Shoes: Steven by Steve Madden, Zappos.com

That's Not Our Deal

Have you seen the video for Best Coast's Our Deal that Drew Barrymore directed? I'm concerned that maybe I've seen it too many times. I quickly put this outfit together and, later, realized that it was probably heavily influenced by the music video (a slightly sketchy version can be seen here because I know you can't watch MTV links in Canada).
Unfortunately, I didn't commit to the hairstyle, but the bright lips, bright colors, and touch of bling with my favorite novelty necklace certainly reminded me of the Day Trotters. If only the back of my blazer was graffitied with my allegiances. It took all summer for me to hop on board with the short dress and blazer combination, but I'm happy that I came late to the party instead of not coming at all. While very similar to the first time I wore this dress, the blazer instead of a button-up, along with the more structured belt and bright lips, helped the simple cotton seem appropriate for casual evening shopping and dining.
Dress: Target

Blazer: Old Navy

Belt: Gifted, Erin

Necklace: Romwe

Shoes: Payless

Sunglasses: Target

And I think we should all start practicing those hairstyles. xoxo Anna Rae

Ribbon Wrapped Roses

I think polka dots and florals are my favourite two prints for mixing, especially when the dots are as subtle as the ones on my Kate Spade bag. I purchased it from Amazon.com's 'Warehouse Deals' section, an amazing venue for gently used (think purchased and returned) shoes and bags at deep discounts. Search by shoe size, since most are one-offs. This silk dress is a consignment store purchase by Tara Jarmon, an under-the-radar designer also responsible for my polka-dot dress. I waited for the price to go down and hoped that nobody else would buy it, (consignment items are usually reduced at regular intervals) and pounced when the price was right.A detailed Joe Fresh cardigan warded off summer breezes. The row of bows and gentle gathering compliment the light femininity of the print beautifully. Cardigan: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore
Dress: Tara Jarmon, Shine West Broadway
Purse: Kate Spade, Amazon.com warehouse deals
Shoes: Steve Madden. Freedman's
Necklace: Tiffany's, Gifted

Reds and Lilacs

This ruffled shirt has become a staple in my pattern mixing wardrobe. When I wear this skirt, I usually like to highlight the pairing of red and pink because I love the combination, but when I was staying with Toni, she kept talking about how much she loved lilac and red together, so I decided to highlight the two while wearing this skirt.

Shirt: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Super Store, Prince George

Skirt: Thrifted by Erin

Shoes: Payless

Belt: on Thrifted dress (Salvation Army, Lancaster)
What are your favorite color combinations to wear? xoxo Anna Rae

La Vie en Rose

I bought this dress on mega sale at Kohl's last week, imagining how I would pair it with edgier pieces in the fall -- textured black tights, Doc Marten's, my Military-inspired sweater, without even thinking about how it was the perfect summer dress for these hot August days.
Like Erin said, the great thing about a patterned dress is that you don't have to do much to it to make it a great outfit. A matching belt, necklace with roses to match its print and some black shoes were all I needed to feel very fashionable.

I sort of cheated a bit when coming up with accessories because I wore both this necklace and these shoes for Toni's wedding on Saturday. The black roses on the necklace were a perfect match to the dress, and I couldn't resist an accessory repeat.
Dress: Elle, Kohl's

Shoes: Anne Klein, Zappo's

Necklace: Gifted, Cammy (from a vintage shop in Stockholm)

Belt: H&M
Are you similarly feeling a little bored with your summer dresses? Anything new inspiring you for this last month of very warm weather? xoxo Anna Rae

Blogger's Lunch

Sometimes, when Erin and I would meet for lunch in the middle of the work week, we'd call it a blogger's lunch, even before we were bloggers, because that's the kind of luxury you can allow yourself as a full-time blogger. Today I had a mid-week lunch with my long lost high school friend Megan who caught me up on her job and wedding plans and was one of the most enthusiastic blog photographers that I've had in a while.

While I really enjoy this outfit, I don't have much to say about it. Mixing stripes with this skirt is nothing new, and pulling out the coral seemed like a no-brainer for this summer of my slight coral obsession.

This straw Kate Spade bag, though, is something I could go on for hours about. I bought it about a month ago while visiting my friend in Virginia and I love it so, so much. It's the perfect summer accessory, and I feel like it really upgrades any casual outfit to something special.
Shirt: J.Crew Factory Outlet, Prime Outlets, Williamsburg, VA

Skirt: Gabes

Belt: H&M

Shoes: Target

Necklace: Gifted, Erin

Bag: Kate Spade Outlet, Prime Outlets, Williamsburg, VA
It's only August 3, but wearing this shirt made me excited for fall wardrobe possibilities. Are you also getting a little eager to pull out the cardigans again? xoxo Anna Rae

Like Mother, Like Daughter

My mom and I don't share many of the same style opinions, but one thing we've always agreed on is how we love the pairing of navy blue and hot pink. This blue isn't that navy and this pink isn't that hot, but I still really love the look of the colors together. To add even more color fun, I wore my yellow shoes, because, especially in the summer, most especially this summer of color blocking, yellow is basically a neutral.
I really like the idea of mixing big prints with small ones. The small polka dots are underwhelming enough for the louder sweater -- a gift from Erin, as are all of my favorite hand-me-downs. My favorite part of this outfit is how feminine it is: dainty flower necklace, the floral cardigan, lace collar, pearl buttons. You'd never guess I was working at a plant that manufactures gas connectors while wearing it.
Dress: Thrifted, Salvation Army, Lancaster

Cardigan: Gifted, Erin, The Loft

Neckalce: Camilla as a graduation/goodbye present

Shoes: Target

Belt: H&M
Don't worry, I'm not crazy enough to wear an outfit like this in an actual plant, just in its office. The only time I venture out onto the plant floor is to get a Diet Coke from the vending machine, so between 1 and 5 times a day. xoxo Anna Rae

Good Morning Baltimore

I can't resist a theme (even if no one else is dressing up) so of course I had to wear a vintage 60s dress to go see Hairspray at the Stanley Theatre in Vancouver. This beautiful dress was just the ticket.
I love the bold print, the self ruffles at the hem and neckline, and the sassy dip in the back. The dress was originally a maxi, but because of my height it was an awkward mid-calf length, so I hemmed it to the knee and reattached the ruffle.
Dress: Vintage, JessJamesJake via Etsy
Slingback Pumps: Cole Haan, Holt Renfrew
Purse: Spring Shoes

The Darling Buds of June

Normally I wear this cardigan in more formal iterations, but I loved the way it paired with dots so much I wanted to wear it with my polka dot flats in a casual outfit.While I originally thought a short-sleeved cardigan would be totally impractical, and bought it for the print alone, I have been surprised at how often it is the perfect layering piece in a temperate climate like Vancouver's. I have been wearing my casual jean capris like crazy this spring with both t-shirts and converse and more dressed-up versions like this. I like how they make work staples like a staid floral cardigan and prim flats seem more laid-back.Because I often go for fun over practical, I have never owned a basic black camisole other than $6 spandex versions until I bought this empire-waisted one on sale at the Gap. I can't believe I ever lived without one! Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft, Ebay
Camisole: Gap
Jeans: American Eagle
Flats: Jessica Simpson, 6pm.com
Necklace: Tiffany's, gifted by my boyfriend

Gold Rush Woman

Last week, Charity took me on a field trip to Barkerville, a ghost town originally established during the Gold Rush, located a few hours outside of Prince George, BC. While there, I alternated between feeling quite overdressed and very appreciated by the women dressed as the Postal Worker, the General Store owner, and the home maker. My tights even inspired a discussion about stocking in the early 1900s.

There's a lot going on in this outfit, but I really like the pairing of florals in both bright colors and black and white. Although my bright pink tank top might not normally be the best pairing for a coral sweater, I felt like the color was muted by the black and white lace top, and the colors tied in the floral shoes nicely.

I was excited to wear a racer back tank top with the top, to highlight both the lace and the button closure.

Cardigan: Anthrologie

Top: Modcloth

Tank top: Walmart
Skirt: Anthropologie

Shoes: Old Navy

My time in Vancouver is winding down far too quickly, but there might still be a joint Anna-Erin post in the Tights that Bind's future. xoxo Anna Rae

Beach Blanket Bingo

Last Friday, I returned to one of my favorite places in Vancouver, the beach. I wore two of my summer staples: a bold printed cotton dress and my button-down denim shirt.

Although I don't particularly love wearing denim shirts as actual shirts, I love wearing them in the summer as a substitue for a sweater or jacket. They're both crisp and casual, and they work so well with sandals and loafers.

My owl earrings, hodgepodge necklace, and the dress's interesting back helped to add fun and interest to the outfit, which would have otherwise been pretty basic.
Dress: Target

Shirt: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore

Necklace: Anthorpologie

Earrings: Gifted, Camilla
Belt: Target

Shoes: Thrifted, Alabastar Attic Church Thrift Store, Greensburg

Sorry for the infrequent posting, but I'm currently running around BC. More outfits and updates soon! xoxo Anna Rae

My Old Stomping Grounds

Well, readers, I made it to Vancouver! Of course, brunch and blog photographers with Erin were at the top of my list of things to do (I've been in Vancouver for four days and have already had two brunches. I feel good about those stats). Obviously, I wanted to dress to impress,which seemed like the perfect opportunity to debut my newly tailored skirt. When my beautiful strapless dress from H&M no longer fit, talioring it into a high waisted skirt seemed like the perfect solution. I'm very pleased with the result.

I wanted to pair the coral with only yellow because I love the way the bright colors looked together. Since I was already working with two bright colors, I didn't feel too matchy-matchy wearing a yellow cardigan, belt, and shoes. Also, I loved the way the floral detail on the cardgian worked with the floral pattern on the skirt.

Skirt: H&M, Tailored from dress
Cardigan: Old Navy
Shoes: Target
Belt: on dress, Ross Dress for Less
Necklace: Romwe
It's so nice to be back in Vancouver, with Erin taking my blog photos in one of many beautiful corners at UBC. xoxo Anna Rae